New Spam Tool: Email Domain & IP Banning at Sign-Up

[Eric Suesz]

We're no fan of spam at Ning. We know it can be an annoyance, especially for Ning Creators who choose not to moderate membership. While we can't solve for every type of spam attack, we have put in place a number of spam tools in the last two years that can make a difference. If you haven't turned all of those on yet, we encourage you to take a minute to make sure you're Preventing Spam in the best ways you can.

Today, we're releasing another spam tool that allows Ning Plus and Pro to perform both email domain and IP banning. 

IP banning is a request we've had over time from people here on Creators, so we are sure that a few folks who've wanted to see this will be happy that it's now available. The feature is fairly straightforward, and it's entirely optional. You'll see a new column in Member Management for IP addresses, and you'll see the option to block in the Sign-up/Sign-in area.

Block IP addresses at sign-up

You can prevent anyone coming from a specific IP address from signing up for your site. Just enter the IP address you want to block, and no one will be able to sign up from that IP address.

Block email domains at sign-up

Similarly, you can choose email domains that you want to block from signing up for your community. If you see spam coming from an email domain like [e-mail], you can block all sign-ups that come from the @sharklasers.com domain.

Of course, these are powerful tools, so we recommend using them carefully and thoughtfully. If you ban an IP that hundreds of thousands of people potentially use, you cut off access to thousands of potential members.

• These options are only available to the Network Creator; not admins.
• You can remove the bans you put in place at any time.
• If someone is unable to sign in because of these blocks, they will see a specific message. The specific message is located in the Language Editor and can be customized.
• If someone is unable to sign in, they can still contact you, provided you have not turned off that option. That option is located in your own personal Email Settings area (Feedback and problem reports).
• The reports you receive from members having trouble includes the email and IP address, as well as whether either is blocked.

One other thing to note about this feature is that you may see that an IP record is "unavailable" in your listings. In most cases, this will be because the member joined before we were able to capture their IP address (i.e., before this tool was turned on a few weeks ago).

Want to know where an IP is geographically located? Look it up on InfoSniper

You can read all about how to Block an Email Domain or IP Address from Signing Up in the Help Center.

[dave]

Ok thanks Eric :)

[mobile.ning.com]

Eric. Look how this site how is being attacked and the owner is not even aware.

http://gestionxcompetencias.ning.com/

I arrived there by accident, trying to find a copy of a lost profile that I deleted by mistake.

Chek it out.

[mobile.ning.com]

As I was navigating the site, I notice something strange. A program was calling somthing like Call.Ning.com ? but that site does not even exist?

Here you can see the Risk of having a Network without proper Controls and Authorizations.

[mobile.ning.com]

I believe to have found the motivation of Spammers on attacking NiING Networks.

Looks like some Network Creators have Open Networks who do not care to manage and that generates the incentive. Case in Point http://gestionxcompetencias.ning.com/

I wonder how many MINI´s are around thrown like this Network without any controls. But this http://gestionxcompetencias.ning.com/ has more than 500 members so it cannot be a MINI. 

Another Conjecture could be that this Network http://gestionxcompetencias.ning.com/ belongs to a Spammers? Check it out.

How in the world a Network Creators displays Spam as its content? I do not get it?

[Atheist Universe]

Interesting. Looks like they were a legitimate network for a while then it got invaded by spammers. This guy has been very active ever since.

[Apostle Solael]

There truly needs to be smiley's on this forum board.....  :o)  No kidding!  How can they NOT know, unless they just are interested in the "numbers" of it all.

[Atheist Universe]

The site's owner 's last activity dates back to June 2011.

Yet, apparently he's still paying for it.

[mobile.ning.com]

Maybe he died!. But as long as he pays, everything is fine. No problem.

Perhaps same Policy applies to Spammers. As long as they paid they are free to study the inner workings of NiNG for latter attacking it? Maybe....

Money cleans and soft everything

[Atheist Universe]

It must also be convenient to keep all one's spam messages neatly in a forum. Makes for a nice spambot base.

[Apostle Solael]

you would think he would take his own advise on management.  This is what his site states translated:

Competence Management - SIMAPRO - ITC / ILO-Turin

Dynamic and Comprehensive Management Skills and Productivity in Organizations"

[Eric Suesz]

Hey, mobile.ning.com. You're right. That site is full of spam. Occasionally, I will see a site like this where the owner has seemingly abandoned it. There's not a lot we can do if an NC chooses to pay for a subscription but doesn't want to manage the community or abandons it.

[mobile.ning.com]

I understand that as long as they pay you are happy. But you can take the opportunity to study the behavior of the spammer? and see what can you learn from it.?

At least that is my perspective, philosophy and general mode of action.